Category: GMO labeling Laws

Touch the Soil News #790 In dramatic turmoil during 2016, the States lost their right to require GMO labeling. The Federal Government revoked those rights and approved mandatory labeling by 2018. However, mandatory labeling does not mean foods will be labeled as containing GMO ingredients. There is a push to provide GMO identification in foods only electronically through QR codes. Problem is that 64 percent of Americans – many of whom can’t afford organics – don’t have smart phones. As we speak, the Trump Administration has failed to complete – through the USDA – a mandatory study that last year’s GMO labeling law required. The study was to explore issues…

Touch the Soil News #464 The nation’s largest organic wheat flour producer – Cascade Organic Flour, LLC – is doubling its organic wheat acreage to 5,000 acres. Located in Royal, Washington the firm is a family owned farm. The enterprise not only grows the wheat, but they also mill their own flour. The additional acreage will allow the company to produce 30 million pounds of whole wheat organic flour a year. http://www.cascadeorganicflour.com/ Photo: Picture logo of Cascade Organic Flour (photo courtesy of Cascade Organic Flour). Door to Door Organics, from Lafayette, Colorado offers direct delivery of natural and organic groceries to your location. The company has relationships with local farmers…

Touch the Soil News #456 This is a rather odd question to pose. Whole Foods represents the charge for more organic food and Monsanto is about genetic engineering to clinch a market for its agricultural chemicals. The question came up recently as the battle for GMO labeling reached brutal clashes. Vermont law to require clear GMO labeling was overturned by Federal politicians. In this clash, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey recently came out in favor of supporting the same position as Monsanto – in diluting the GMO labeling mandate. Whole Foods came out in favor of the federal legislation which demonstrates disregard of “States” rights (Vermont). In addition, it gives…

Touch the Soil News #343 March 18, 2016 – Walmart to Begin its Own Milk Processing In a surprise announcement, Walmart is going to open its own milk processing plan in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The more than 250,000 square foot facility will produce Walmart’s own white and chocolate milk brands called Great Value and Member’s Mark. The new facility will supply white and chocolate milk to 600 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in the Midwest. March 18, 2016 – General Mills to Label GMO Ingredients While it is not all voluntary, General Mills announced it would label all foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. Part of the decision stems from the…

Touch the Soil News #337 Retreat #1: The U.S. House passed a bill prohibiting individual states from requiring labeling of GMO ingredients in foods – an effort heavily lobbied and funded by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Monsanto and other GMO interests. The bill then went to the U.S. Senate. After several months of reviewing the bill, the Senate rejected the bill which is now dead. This was the first national-scope legislation promoted by GMO interests that failed. Approximately 88 percent of Americans wanted this bill to fail and want GMO labeling – making the defeat of this bill a major victory for the American public. Retreat #2: With the…

Touch the Soil News #326 The tensions have been high as the State of Vermont is set to require mandatory labeling of foods containing GMO ingredients on July 1, 2016. Trying to circumvent that process, the U.S. Senate has been in debates over making labeling voluntary – against the wishes of most Americans and overturning Vermont’s rights to know. In a sweeping public announcement last Friday (3/4/16), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack went of record on his position the nation should pass a mandatory GMO labeling law. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack shocked the nation with his Mandatory GMO labeling position. Vilsack’s position – requiring mandatory labeling of GMOs…

Touch the Soil News #284 Monsanto – Global overproduction in corn and soybeans coupled with continued growth of anti-GMO sentiment is hurting Monsanto profits. In response, the company plans to cut 3,600 jobs over the next two years – 16 percent of its global workforce. Recently it came to surface that a 2009 federal spending bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to create guidelines for the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered salmon. Would you buy GMO salmon? President Obama’s family avoids conventional soy and corn – 90 percent of the world’s soy and corn products are GMO products with concerns about allergies and digestive issues. In…